Fronteras Desk

Valley Fever hits Arizona hard

There were more than 16,000 reported cases of Valley Fever in Arizona last year and probably more than 30,000 unreported cases.

Dr. John Galgiani of the Valley Fever Center for Excellence at the University of Arizona says improved research and diagnosis are needed to treat Valley Fever and keep the illness from being life-threatening. Galgiani says cases are on the rise, but there isn't proof yet that the increase can be tied to Maricopa County's powerful summer dust storms.